New Delhi

New Delhi was built in 1911. It was to be "conceived with spaciousness and care so that the new creation would be in every way worthy of this ancient and beautiful city". Lutyens and Baker planned a city with wide, tree-lined avenues. The 340-roomed Viceregal Lodge, now the Rashtrapati Bhawan, was raised on Raisina Hill. Nearby are India Gate, a World War I memorial, Parliament House, the prestigious National Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art. On Republic Day, Rajpath witnesses a display of pageantry.

The classy commercial centre of Connaught Place was planned as part of New Delhi. Along with stalls on Janpath, and emporia on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, it is a shopper's paradise. Rather characteristically, an 18th century masonry observatory, the Jantar Mantar, lies in the midst of this commercial area.

But there is still more to Delhi... Art galleries and theatres, and a variety of museums, memorials to leaders, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain and Bahai temples, folk dancers, discotheques, urban villages... even birdwatching along the ridge. Come discover a country through a city.

Accessibility:
As a major entry point for India many major international flights go through New Delhi. It is also extensively connected by air, road and rail with the rest of the country.

Best season :
October to March.

What to wear:
Cottons in summer, woollens in winter.

Shopping :
Handicrafts from all over India, silk and cotton weaves, pottery and terracotta, jewelry, brassware, ivory, rosewood and sandalwood carvings, and paintings are available.

Connaught Place, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Janpath and the Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Stores near the Red Fort and Qutab Minar, Sunder Nagar Market, Santushti Shopping Arcade near Ashok Hotel, Hauz Khas Village, Dariba, in Chandni Chowk are some well known shopping areas.

Accommodation :
Delhi offers a wide variety of accommodation - ranging from super deluxe five stars to moderate and budget hotels.

Conducted Tours:
Apart from well known travel agencies there are also tours of the city conducted by India Tourism Development Corporation and Delhi Tourism Development Corporation.